NEW YORK, May 19, 2015—Leading up to its centennial celebration in 2019 and building on its nearly 100-year commitment to study abroad, the Institute of International Education launched Generation Study Abroad ® in 2014 to double the number of students who study abroad each year. With less than 10 percent of American college students studying abroad, IIE is taking action to enable more U.S. students, especially those that are typically underrepresented in U.S. study abroad, to participate in an academic, internship, or service-learning experience abroad.
Today, IIE has announced a first round of Generation Study Abroad Scholarships, to be awarded to 160 students at 26 commitment partner colleges and universities. The campuses applied to take part in the scholarship program and were selected based on the progress the institutions have made toward their Generation Study Abroad commitments. Among the winning campuses are several minority-serving institutions, historically black colleges and community colleges.
With funding from IIE, the Government of Ireland, STA Travel, and other donors, the winning institutions will each receive $7,500. The campuses will match this funding, and award at least six scholarships of $2,500 each to students. In total, approximately $400,000 in scholarships will be awarded to students. These scholarships can be used for the cost of tuition, books, and travel related to study, service learning or internships abroad between Summer 2015 and Spring 2016.
Ten of the campuses will receive Ireland-IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarship grants for their students to study in Ireland, with funding from the Government of Ireland. Sixteen additional campuses will receive IIE Generation Study Abroad grants from IIE’s Study Abroad Fund, with the support of IIE, STA Travel and individual donors, to award scholarships for study to any destination.
The following campuses will receive scholarship funding:
IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships
- Daytona State College, Florida
- Delaware Valley University, Pennsylvania
- Fitchburg State University, Massachusetts
- Illinois State University, Illinois
- Indiana University-Purdue
- University Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Lehman College/CUNY, New York
- Morgan State University, Maryland
- Polk State College, Florida
- The Catholic University of America, Washington DC
- University at Albany, SUNY, New York
- University of Arizona, Arizona
- University of California, Irvine, California
- University of Central Missouri, Missouri
- University of Idaho, Idaho
- University of St. Thomas-Houston, Texas
- University of Washington Bothell, Washington
Ireland – IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships
- Case Western Reserve University, Ohio
- Davidson Community College, North Carolina
- Indiana University Southeast, Indiana
- Moraine Park Technical College, Wisconsin
- Norwich University, Vermont
- Saint Cloud State University, Minnesota
- Texas A&M International University, Texas
- University of Tampa, Florida
- Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia
- Winthrop University, South Carolina
“The IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships will give more students – and more underrepresented students – the opportunity to gain international experience, which is one of the most important components of a 21st-century education,” said Institute of International Education President and Chief Executive Officer Allan E. Goodman.
IIE’s Generation Study Abroad is a five year initiative to mobilize resources and commitments with the goal of doubling the number of U.S. students studying abroad by the end of the decade. Launched in March 2014, the network continues to gain momentum and now has over 600 partners from the U.S. and abroad. As part of their commitments, Generation Study Abroad partner campuses have pledged to raise money and give scholarships, and a number of study abroad program providers and host campuses outside of the United States have pledged to award scholarships toward the cost of their programs.
As a Lead Signature Partner, the Government of Ireland has contributed to IIE’s Generation Study Abroad Fund to provide incentive grants to U.S. colleges and universities to make these scholarship awards to students to study in Ireland.
Ireland is the ninth most popular study destination overall for U.S. students, according to the Open Doors Report, an annual survey conducted by the Institute of International Education. For the school year 2012/2013, Ireland saw a 6% increase in the number of U.S. students coming to the country to study. Ireland’s increase outpaced the overall 2% growth rate in the number of American students studying abroad.
Generation Study Abroad also provides resources for students, campus advisers, and parents. IIE’s latest publication, A Parent Guide to Study Abroad, provides practical and comprehensive advice for parents on clarifying the value of study abroad, figuring out the financials and identifying the right study abroad program for their kids. Additional resources for parents and students include IIE’s online directory of study abroad programs, IIEPassport.org, and its database of grants and scholarship opportunities, StudyAbroadFunding.org.
About the Institute of International Education
The Institute of International Education is a world leader in the international exchange of people and ideas. IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors with funding from government agencies, foundations, and corporations. An independent, not-for-profit organization founded in 1919, IIE has a network of 19 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,400 member institutions.
About Generation Study Abroad
Generation Study Abroad™ is a five-year initiative of the Institute of International Education to double the number of U.S. college students studying abroad by the end of the decade. Our aim is to encourage meaningful, innovative action to drive up the number of U.S. students who have the opportunity to gain international experience through academic study abroad programs, internships, service learning and non-credit educational experiences. IIE has built the Generation Study Abroad coalition to raise awareness of the need for students to gain language and cultural skills, identify and break down barriers, share innovative strategies, and mobilize additional financial resources. In the first year, nearly 500 partners from academia, and the public and private sectors from the U.S. and abroad joined IIE’s Generation Study Abroad initiative. These partners have pledged specific, actionable goals and tangible financial commitments that will contribute significantly to reach our ambitious goal. The teacher campaign is the next phase, recognizing the key role that teachers play in bringing the world into their classrooms and inspiring their students.
About Education in Ireland
The mission of Education in Ireland, a division of Enterprise Ireland, is to promote study opportunities at Ireland’s higher education institutions. Education in Ireland represents all of Ireland’s universities and institutes of technology, as well as many of the country’s colleges. Enterprise Ireland is the Irish state agency responsible for supporting the development of manufacturing and internationally traded services companies. Enterprise Ireland provides funding and support for a wide range of companies – from entrepreneurs with plans for high potential start-ups to large companies seeking to expand their markets and grow export sales. Enterprise Ireland also supports college-based researchers to assist in the development, protection and transfer of technologies into industry.Contacts
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